Israel Strikes Iranian Petrochemical Plant, Says It Dismantled Air Defense Systems

Israel said on Sunday it struck a petrochemical plant in southwestern Iran and carried out airstrikes on other military targets, including dismantling air defense systems deployed across the country.

According to Reuters, this is the first time an energy facility inside Iran has been attacked since the April 8 ceasefire. US President Donald Trump had reportedly asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to show restraint and avoid further offensives.

Israel said it hit targets in the Mahshahr petrochemical industrial park. A provincial Iranian official told the semi-official Fars news agency that some facilities at the plant were damaged.

Iranian state media reported that authorities had ordered all employees to evacuate. No casualties have been reported so far, and damage assessment is ongoing. Since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, five production lines at the park have been hit.

The Associated Press reported that the Israeli military also announced on Sunday that it had carried out airstrikes and dismantled air defense systems deployed in multiple locations across Iran.

The Israeli military said: "The Iranian regime had recently deployed air defense systems in multiple locations across the country to restore its detection and defense capabilities. These capabilities had already been weakened during Operation Roaring Lion."

The military stated that Sunday's attack had dismantled these air defense systems, with dozens of military aircraft participating in the operation.

Iran warned on Sunday that the resurgence of the Middle East war would affect its ongoing peace negotiations with the United States.

Tehran authorities said the US should be held responsible for the resumption of hostilities between Iran and Israel, stating that Israel's actions "cannot be separated from US policy."

However, Iran also emphasized that even if the war with Israel reignites, Pakistan's mediation efforts to end the US-Iran war are continuing.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said: "Regardless of how the situation develops, diplomatic consultations will continue."